1 Corinthians 15: 42-46
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
In the natural, we have fragile, delicate, human bodies inherited from Adam who was corruptible…but Christ-like is who should thrive to be; incorruptible and full of power. Where or is there a balance between the two? Or is it one or the other? Is it being so holy that we forget we are human with imperfections? Is it knowing who you are in Christ though you yet have issues? Is it seeking the face of God? Is it repentance?
In writing my interview with Reggie “Reg”, I made the statement that I think he has a natural and spiritual real-ness that a lot of Christians lack; balance. Why do I think he’s balanced? He knows what God has called him to do, he is thankful, he seeks God, he talks to God, he asks God, he waits on God, and he has not forgotten from where God has brought him. This world can't give us all that we need but we continue to ask it to instead of God. Why? I think when we do this...we are not naturally and spiritually balanced. What do you think? Enlighten me!
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First natural then spiritual in the beginning God created Adam from the ground, the dirt which made up his flesh which represents the natural, then He breathe into him the BREATH OF LIFE which represents the spirit. When the fleshly part of Adam failed he lost his spiritual connection with God. So it continued throughout the Old Testament for a replacement for Adam until Christ came. St John chpt. 1:1-14 gives us key definition of what balance is all about, verse 14a says "and the Word (Christ) was made flesh and dwelt among us" Interesting that Christ became flesh yet being a spirit or while representing the spirit of God. How can there be a balance within us a Christians? Easy follow the example of Christ. Easier said than done is a general cliche that will be thought after that statement but it is very true. If we as "Christians" would follow the key principles of salvation then we wouldn't allow our FLESH (natural) to out way our Spirit. When a person gets saved they use to tell me that their first testimony would be "I looked at my hands and feet and they looked new" NATURAL, then they say "I LOVED EVERYBODY" SPIRITUAL because honestly our flesh ain't going to love everybody :-) Now this may sound far fetched but.....
AS well as the bible gives us instructions on how to control our flesh so the spirit can function ..... Matthew 26:41b "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." It also gives us instructions on how to be balanced. I love the testimony that people say to justify the way they act in an unholy way "I don't want to be so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good" so where is the balance in that?
These are just thoughts and questions that are overall answered on a INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP with Christ. I believe this is just me.... but I believe a person that is truly walking with the Lord and is being led by Him will have a balance, because one thing I can say is that the Holy Spirit won't force to do right but it will nudge you when you are doing wrong. You have to make the decision to follow the right or the wrong. It is a mind thing.....
Finally ..... "Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5)
Hopefully I am understanding this well....How was Jesus balanced? He knew that the world could not give Him was all of us are seeking for. When you try to fulfill your carnal needs with carnal things, you get carnal solutions. If we as Christians believe that we have to look beyond the carnal pleasure of the world "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"-(Matthew 6:21), then we should know by now that the world can't give us what we really need. Without Christ we are nothing and our righteousness as "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).
Why do we rely on the world to fulfill our carnal or spiritual needs? Carnal-flesh, as we know it is what we can see, feel, taste, smell, even experience. It takes little to no faith to deal with things fleshly.
Now, getting to the Spiritual side. Jesus was both man and Divine. He had the true and best balance there is for how to both be God (Christ-like), yet still be human. There is no excuse why we can't be human, which is we are and can't change that, and yet have the likeness of Christ. 1 Cor. 10:13 states that God has made a way of escape for every temptation there is known to man. He won't give us more than we can bear, which means more than we can handle. He has also given each of us a measure of faith for each trial we experience. No there is no excuse why we can't have both.
Another thing that we must realize this MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE is that flesh and spirit work hand in hand. Our minds control our body. So our spirit should control our flesh in any given situation. The balance comes in when we are living holy for God in a wholistic manner. His Holy Spirit is our balance. He gave the Holy Spirit as a Comfort and a Guide. He will lead us into all truth (John 16:13).
Last point, but I'm sure not least:-)is that Jesus also knew what His purpose was on Earth, and what He could handle instead of overdoing it. For example: In Luke 5:16, Jesus would go away by himself to pray. He knew that the calling on His life was like no other. Jesus knew how important it was to "His flesh" to take care of it, which would have His purpose "Spiritually". We cannot live Spiritual lives, without both taking care of the Flesh ( 1Cor. 6:19) and taking care of the Spirit (2 Tim. 2:15). Don't get too uneasy--we must not feed into fleshy desires that go against the original purpose of God for our lives. Sin is sin and always will be. And sin is the direct enemy of God. But in order to be connected to God, we must have our bodies intact to recieve what is necessary for our Spiritual Growth. Taking care of our bodies, maintaining appropriate health, limiting what we allow our minds that will keep the "Spirit" from reaching us and we progressing in our sancification. We then are ready for glorification.
Jelks8,
you put the tac on the right point;it is exact that Christ became flesh while representing the Spirit of God. Jesus IS our example of being balanced; Jesus knew who He was; He knew what He came to do. Do we? Don't you think Jesus found time to laugh and enjoy parts of his journey? Do we? Jesus went into places and talked to people of the unsavory kind. Dare we? Why are so many of us unbalanced; don't know or seek our purpose, walking around in circles, waiting on God to give us a sign instead of seeking Him, and think it's unholy to laugh and enjoy life? I agree with you, the key is to be led by the Holy Spirit however has not some man-made interpretation of the Word been an enabler of what we can't do, where we can't go, and what we should be like while the Word steadfastly states to be "Christ-like?" I truly believe that a well balanced Natural & Spiritually life is to allow the Spiritual part of ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and to allow that...we must have a appetite for the spiritual realm and seek to have the "FAITH AND TRUST" in what GOD has designed for us.
Interesting Coolsw...... I agree with what has been said but let's remember the time, place, and REASON why Jesus stepped away for alone time. It was for spiritual reasons not to control His flesh. Matthew 4 during the temptation of Christ gives more detail and understanding of Christ in prayer controlling His flesh. Even at that time we read and see that christ was tempted by the devil in many ways such as we are. Hebrews tells us that we have not a high priest that has not been touched by our infirmities. Therefore He knows how to balance.
Tean, good questions..... Christ stepped into prohibited places because He was and is concerned about the souls of mankind. We should put our spiritual war clothes on and go into places that we will be AFFECTIVE in ministry without being concerned of what others will say!!! That's the problem with us and why are don't DARE to step out because we don't see with our spiritual eyes only our flesh because it keeps us from doing His will which keeps us from being balanced!!
Matthew 6:33
coolsocialworker,
I believe PARTLY that the generational of ancestors have given us the premise interpretation/definition of Christianity as they saw or was told and their ideas are embeded in us(subconsciously)and until they are extracted or redirected, some of us can't fathom balance. It's like a "Sister Milmine" instead of hearing the Voice of God, all she saw was the flashing lights. I think some of us don't seek because we don't truly know, try or believe we can. Haven't you heard people say that "God don't talk to me." And get upset if you say, God told you something. They have not experienced it! And until you truly experienced the presence of God in Word and Spirit, you can't fathom the magnitude of the effectiveness. Yes, Jesus knew that the calling on His life was like no other. Can you even begin to understand that impact? I can't. Do you think that maybe sometimes when God reveals our purpose to us that the sacrifice of it cripples us to not move forward? Do we know how important it is to "our purpose Spiritually" to keep "our flesh" in check? Do we have the ability to continually denial ourselves of what we desire? No, not in our own wisdom or power. Yet, God still love us unconditionally. That is why I say we need to stop asking this world for what it can't give us...unconditional anything.
Jelks8 & Coolsocialworker,
There's not one guestion that can be asked that the Word can't give us a answer. And for me, when I saw the following scripture at the end of Jelks 8 last post, it answered the guestion for me. 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I believe of the things added...balance is one of them if it is sought after. It is only something that God can add. Hmm, the young can teach the older something, huh? You are still not grown yet though! I hope I never stop learning and developing because when I ask guestions on this blog, they are guestions God has placed in my spirit and I pray that I never sound like I have all the answers. I listen to people talk and when their interpretation of something(especially the Word) disturbs my Spirit, I want to know why. Have I misinterpreted the Word, am I being convicted or is it something God wants me to understand better? He knows I am not a person who dwells on the surface of most things or people and that I desire to understand the core of the existence. And to do that, I must explore beyond what is seen or heard in the natural eye.
Well Tean and Jelks8, you both have touched on very important points. First, I would like to say that I agree with you both. I believe that there are three things (and it might be more than this) that keeps us from fully experiencing what God has called us to do. One is fear, second is unbelief, and the third is our flesh. Basically not denying ourselves, taking up our crosses and following Him. Example of the Rich young ruler in Mark 10: 20-22. Jesus told him what to do in order to be saved, and he "went away sorrowful". His plan did not match God's plan for him. Let's be real! We don't want God's plan for us...(let me speak for myself). We think that God's plan is too hard, which sometimes it is, not rewarding or will burn us out, and won't give us the results we are looking for. Tean, what are we afraid of? Is it letting go of our fleshly desires that produce no heavenly good or afraid of the calling itself?
Tean you mentioned that Jesus knew who He was, and what His purpose was. He had this calling on his life from before birth. God has also told us that before we were born He predestined us for a calling. (Romans 8:29-31) Why is it that we don't believe that it is possible to have a calling on our life? Jesus promised us in John 14:12 that we would do even greater works than what was seen in His time. What's the hold up?
Now Jelks8, I do apologize for using the scripture out of context. But I do believe that Jesus, although was perfect, knew that prayer was one the ways that he could keep himself together. I have to believe that as the bible says that he was tempted in every way, as it states in Hebrews 4:15, yet didn't sin. If Jesus wasn't human, I don't know if I could really believe that I could live as He did. It's often the excuse that Jesus was God and human, and we're not. Yet, why would Jesus say that He left us a Comforter if He knew that we didn't have the possiblity and ability to be like Him and live as He did? Do we have an excuse as to why we can't be like Christ and overcome every sin known to man?
As Tean says....Enlighten me!
Tean and Jelks8, you know it's the bible says in Heb. 4:12 that it is sharper than a "two-edged sword". This may sound stupid, but why interpret the bible? Doesn't it speak for itself? Why is it that you can read the bible over and over again, and still miss something? It still seems fresh than when we first pick it up! Why is it that when we read the bible, we want what our interpretations of it to suit what we want? If the bible, speaks for itself, why are there so many interpretations out there? Who is right? Who is wrong? Is there a right or wrong? How do you learn what the scriptures are truly saying if there are several ways of looking at them? If the spirit is truly in each of us, shouldn't we be likeminded in our interpretations of the scriptures?
coolsw,
While reading some prophecies of Jeremiah, Daniel deliberated over their meaning; Daniel. 9:2.
Acts 8:30-35, Phillip and the Ethiopian; The Ethiopian wanted to know who the prophet Isaiah spoke of in the scripture; himself or someone else.
I’m sure you’ve had conversations about scriptures or topics that ended with the words “That’s your interpretation, you have your opinion and I have mine”? Has anyone ever used 2 Peter 1:20 as a supportive basis for that statement to you? “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation.” It sounds like a perfect come back to “that’s just your interpretation…on the surface that is. To justify this; the scripture could be interpreted to say that there should be no personal interpretation of the Bible and we must obey the rules as stated. True. HOWEVER, 2 Peter 1:20, is about the prophets and how they made their predictions, not about the interpretation of the Bible. You see how the Word can be used to justify a statement it was never intended to be used for? If you don't look at the scripture before and after, you could be caught in believing it meant something else. Peter is referring to the prophets of the Old Testament times (verse 19) in which he says “we have the prophetic word made more sure.” Peter 1:20 is saying that Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and Peter himself was an eyewitness. And in verse 21 he says, “no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” In order to appropriately understand the “WORD”, I believe in our study, we should additionally go back to the origin of the language in which it was written to get a better understanding which may create a challenge for those who dwell on the surface of things. Its work and it takes time. I don’t think we always want to understand or just understand enough… AND, a lot of us are just not going to go against what has had a generational "stronghold" teaching hold on us. Therefore we are not open for anything different than what we believe. I want to know the TRUTH, EVEN IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT!
2 Peter 3:14-18 “Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence. And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.”
And lastly coolsw,I believe most of us want what God has designed for us, we have a desire to walk as Jesus walked...but we just don't want the SACRIFICE.
jelks8 & coolsw,
I wondered if we all had the same measure of faith. For some reason, coolsw, I wanted to connect our measure of faith with likeminded, but as I researched, I found that we are given the same measure. God has given us all “the” measure of faith, not “a” measure of faith but “God kind of faith”. In Romans 12:3, Paul talks about the faith in the gifts God has betowed on us. Why then don’t we all demonstrate the God kind of faith? Is it because not all of us have developed yet exercise to develop the measure of faith to the extent it was given? Examples: 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Growing faith, Romans 4:19, 20; Weak and strong faith, Acts 6:8; Full of faith, Matthew 14:28-31; Little faith and Matthew 8:5-10; Great faith.
Could the calling on our life dictate to what degree we use that faith? Or…no matter what the calling; “the measure of faith” should be used to the fullest?
Tean Tean Tean! Ooooo Weeeee I don't know where to start, you have put so many things on the table that I don't know which food to sample first. When you begin to talk about the prophets that it is something else within itself. The prophets had 2 major roles to play 1 they were to be Forthtellers and Foretellers they were sent to be messengers not to interpret the word as you said Tean. it is very important that we research the Word, know where, when, who, how of every scripture, realistically some scripture is just what it is, point and case Matt. 6:33; look for the kingdom of God and what is right in Him and everything else in life will fall in place. There is no researching in that at all. Well some may but I'm sure you get my point. The cop out of my opinion and your opinion is just that an "opinion" I believe we should know what we stand for so we don't fall for anything.
Coolsw... you're right we are afraid to step into what God really has in store for us, why? because it is something unknown to us, blessings that we are unable to fathom a place mentally and especially spiritually that we have not gone before, out of our confront zone, if we really have one.... So as I type I think about how important it is to step on the water and walk and to consider it to be our natural way of living with the understanding that God is the water and we're walking on His back, because we really don't have nothing I mean NOTHING to office all we have is US Romans 12:1 I BEG OF YOU BRETHREN Paul is begging the church of Rome by the mercies of God. Lamentations tells us it is by God's mercies that we are not consumed!! Ok I'm going to stop there.
Finally Tean when you talk about FAITH you are talking about life NOW FAITH, I preached a message once said that we have WON with FAITH! We not only need faith in God but how about the FAITH OF GOD!! That say it and it is so faith, that faith that thinks it and shall be Romans 4:17b speak those things that be not as though they were. Interesting you said we are given the same amount of faith, I believe one passage speaks of "mustard seed" faith (Matt 17:20) even though we are given the same faith our faith grows in different levels, because what I have gone through can help me go through something bigger while someone else is still struggling... The main thing that I like about the mustard seed and it gives me great understanding about faith growing is that a mustard tree is huge it grows into a large tree. So God thinks and says things in big way so shall our faith in Him and through Him grow as the mustard seed or mustard tree....
I hope I made sense!
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mustardseedjanitorial.com/images/hugetree500.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mustardseedjanitorial.com/&h=408&w=500&sz=63&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=GQ4VvCZe6lvBtM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmustard%2Btree%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us
Thank you jelks8, you have enlightened me and you did make sense! Mustard "seed" faith can grow to the huge mustard "tree" faith, correct? For this seed to grow into that huge tree it must have been sowed correctly (we know God planted it in us so it was done correctly), it must be cultivated(watered), so how we water our tree (handle life experiences) determine how big that tree gets? I ask this guestion because I've seen people with great faith, and people with little faith and people with what appears no faith at all and are so negative about life. What gets us to the "faith of God" faith?
I'm speechless!!! Can you believe it??? I wonder if the prophets in the bible hated being prophets because they were truly the "bearer of bad news". They had to bring the message that God wanted His people to know whether good or bad. That itself is truly a calling! And yet, God called all of us to be his "Gospel Carriers"..to a world that wouldn't otherwise know Him. To some it would sound like bad news, and to others....it would be just Who they need, you know?
As far as faith, it's true. God said in Heb. 11:6--"without faith, it's impossible to please Him". Everything God does is according to our faith. He moves when We MOVE HIM....think about it. When the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:21-22) came to Jesus, he replied "your FAITH has made thee WHOLE." What would have happened if she wouldn't have had faith? She would still have the issue of blood, right? Her FAITH MOVED HER INTO ACTION BEFORE THE HEALING TOOK PLACE.....what are we waiting for? Why do we always want to see the outcome before we take the steps necessary to get the outcome we're looking for? What about the blind men, whom Jesus asked first--"Do you believe that I can do this?" In Heb. 11:6 again it says "Because anyone who comes to Him must first believe that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him". We first got to believe, and our action is our FAITH. Making our belief in Him become REAL....Then comes the sharing of our faith...our testimony. We testify of Jesus Christ through what we have seen Him do with our faith. That's another story.... Now how do we show our faith? Is there a practical way to have faith. As Heb. 11:1 states, Faith is being sure (convicted) of what we hope for (or what we expect) and CERTAIN of what we DO NOT SEE". Faith is unseen, yet through our belief and testimony it can be seen? What? Is that true???
I know I have more to say.....I just got to get this faith thing down packed!!!!
By the way, both Tean and Jelks8, I want to be like yall when I grow up! Both of yall are on point, and I am appreciating this blog....so much more good stuff to come! Teach me....Maybe we can help each reach that GOD FAITH....Oh man, imagine Moses, Joshua (who saw seas parted). The very acts of GOD HIMSELF....are we really ready to see the Almighty GOD work?
Now the bible says in Jude 20 NIV says "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit"
check this out:
Father, Son, Holy Ghost; let's look at creation to define the faith of God. . . . . Look at this from the Old and New Testament
God said it, Jesus mediated it, and the Holy Spirit performed it.
The faith of God is believing what you say will be carried through the Holy Spirit the confronter and mediated through our mediator which is Jesus to God our father. In John Jesus says we shall have anything we ask for in His name. That to me is the faith of God it being said and then BELIEVING that JC and HG is going to carry it through on our behalf. God already knew and so should we!
I am so thankful to God for the two of you for blogging. You will never know how thankful. You know this can be addictive!!!! I need this spiritual and intellectual stimuli. This is the type of stimuli that should go on in bible classes...oohh but I guess this is what we're having isn't it?
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE GOD THAT YOU HAVE "GOD KIND OF FAITH" IN YOUR WAITING? You don't have to tell me but think about it...and ask yourself if you really want it.
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